UEFA Champions League Cup
UEFA Champions League Cup (Photo by ANP Sport via Getty Images)

Football | UEFA Champions League | Matchday 3 | Preview

By Chris Sampson

  • “Battle of Britain” at Anfield
  • Crucial games for Celtic, Spurs and Chelsea
  • City look to maintain 100% record
An ever congested season continues, as the Champions League returns on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

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Liverpool v Rangers 4 Oct 20:00

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The third round of fixtures in Group A gives us a “battle of Britain” tie as Liverpool host Rangers. The hosts bounced back from defeat to Napoli with a home win over Ajax and trail the Italian club by three points. Liverpool have had a disappointing and uncharacteristically uncertain start to the season domestically and in Europe and will be looking to get some energy and fluency back. Rangers have endured a difficult campaign so far and desperately need to get points on the board. They enjoyed a comprehensive win at Hearts this weekend and will be looking to carry this forward. Liverpool go into the tie under pressure after being held by Brighton at Anfield. Left-back Andy Robertson has missed the Ajax and Brighton matches and could possibly be fit enough to return against Rangers.

 

Eintracht Frankfurt v Tottenham Hotspur 4 Oct 20:00

Tottenham go into the tie second in the group, above the hosts on goal-difference. Antonio Conte’s side have had mixed fortunes since they lost to Sporting Lisbon in the last round of fixtures, hammering Leicester City at home before losing the North London derby to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Eintracht Frankfurt will provide a real test for Tottenham. They are currently sixth in the Bundesliga and beat 1. FC Union Berlin two-nil at home on Saturday. The last round of fixtures saw them win one-nil away at Marseille. It promises to be an intriguing tie which will have a great bearing on both sides chances of progressing from the group.

 

Chelsea v A.C. Milan 5 Oct 20:00

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Chelsea are facing an uphill battle to qualify from the group as they go into this bottom against top clash. Milan have a win and a draw from their two games and currently lie fourth in Serie A after winning away at Empoli this weekend. Chelsea had a frustrating draw at home to Red Bull Salzburg in the last round of fixtures in Graeme Potter’s first game in charge but will have been encouraged with Saturday’s victory over Crystal Palace. Milan’s Olivier Giroud, formerly of Chelsea, could face his old club.

 

RP Liepzig v Celtic 5 Oct 17.45

Despite two positive Champions League performances this season Celtic only have a single point. A brave performance at home to Real Madrid ended in defeat, before having the better of proceedings away to Shakhtar Donetsk, where they had to settle for a draw. They go into Wednesday’s game against RP Liepzig on the back of a two-one victory over Motherwell, sitting on top of the Scottish Premiership and a point ahead of Liepzig in Group F. Liepzig have had an indifferent start to the campaign, losing both Champions League fixtures and occupying 11th place in the Bundesliga.  They did, however, enjoy a four-nil victory over VfL Bochum 1848 at the weekend. Celtic hope to welcome Cameron Carter-Vickers back after injury. With Real Madrid looking set to dominate the group a victory would be a major boost to Celtic’s bid to secure second place.

 

Manchester City v FC Copenhagen 5 Oct 20:00

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Manchester City go into their home fixture with FC Copenhagen looking to maintain their 100% record in this seasons Champions League. City, also unbeaten in the league, will be full of confidence after a thumping win in the Manchester derby and, given their busy schedule, it will be interesting to see if Pep Guardiola shuffles his pack. City will want to make qualification as straightforward as possible but it may be an opportunity for Guardiola to get some minutes into some of his fringe players while giving some of the more regular starters a breather. Copenhagen come into the match on the back of a one-nil win over Aarhus and currently lie sixth in the league and third in Group G. Facing City is a daunting prospect for any team and Copenhagen will have to be on top form if they are to cause an upset.

The Champions League Matchday 3 fixtures take place on Tuesday October 4 and Wednesday October 5.